For years, with competition Benchrest rifles, I have used a Dewey coated cleaning rod (with bore guide) and use bronze cleaning brushes. They do a thorough cleaning job with less passes than a nylon brush would, followed by ample cleaning patches.

They have never once detrimentally harmed any expensive match-grade barrel and always worked well with each of my hunting or target rifles. I've always favored Butch's Bore Shine.

Great question. I have to like the .270 Winchester, since it's so versatile and I already have it in the Weatherby Vanguard Deluxe.

But over the years that I lived and hunted in Texas Hill Country, I developed an affection for the .280 Remington (.7mm Express Remington) .25-06 and took more deer with a .264 Win Mag than any other. I also have to give a nod to the .7mm-08, which out of my Winchester Model 70 Featherweight is nearly as adaptable as the .270 Winchester cartridge.

Tennessee won big yesterday. As a long-time red state, the Republicans won with Bill Lee to Governor, Marsha Blackburn to US Senate and 7 to 2 in US House. The State Senate and State House were ALL won by Republicans.

I loathe the fact that the Democrats won back the US House. I just hope they are smart enough to oust Pelosi as the Speaker and choose someone with more sense. Afraid the fox is IN the hen house!

Unfortunately, it happens. The longer you hunt, the more likely it can be. The positive thing to take away from this is the terrible way you feel and are describing this situation - it means you are an ethical and caring hunter, I applaud you; try not to beat yourself up too badly.

There's benchrest competition accuracy and then there's hunting accuracy. I can shoot 5 round, one hole strings all day with my benchrest .6mm PPC. I can't do that with a hunting rifle - why should I have to?

Ethically, I never shot at distances I did not feel comfortable with. If an animal was within a certain distance (different for various types/sizes of animal) and I knew, with certainty, that I could reliably hit that kill zone region, I would take the shot.

On whitetail deer, for example, I visualized a kill zone of about the size of a volley ball. If the conditions were right and I knew I could hit that size of target, only then would I take the shot. A minute of angle kill zone never entered my mind.